Aerodynamics and Aeroacoustics of Vehicles, 3rd Edition

Dear Colleagues,

Aerodynamics is a major factor in the design and development of vehicles, whether they are passenger or commercial road vehicles, race cars, trains or air vehicles. In the early days of vehicle aerodynamics, the major goals were improved fuel economy and speed gain via drag reduction, and the improvement of occupant safety and comfort through minimization of the effects of aerodynamic instability. However, with the development of faster ground vehicles and high-speed road and train transportation infrastructures, the induction of wind noise due to aerodynamic flow instability, and aeroacoustics becoming another significant design consideration, aeroacoustics have become integral to vehicle aerodynamic design. Though drag reduction and wind noise control are the primary considerations for passenger and commercial vehicles, race cars and high-performance road and street cars require the creation of an aerodynamic downforce for better traction and cornering. Thus, aerodynamics has become the single most important aspect in the design of race and performance vehicles. In addition, it was recently observed that significant drag reduction and, hence, improved fuel economy can be achieved when road vehicles are driven in convoy, which is called platooning; the same phenomenon is used in racing for increased speed, which is called drafting.

Road and track testing, wind-tunnel experiments and computer simulations are the three tools used in vehicle aerodynamics. These approaches have their advantages and limitations. Correlating the results of these approaches for the same vehicle is challenging, and improving the correlations between these approaches is an ongoing process. As such, newer on-road and wind-tunnel measurement techniques and CFD methodologies are continuously evolving. Additionally, in laboratory environments, efforts are ongoing to include the effects of real-life road conditions, such as the impact of wind gusts or crosswinds, on vehicle performance, stability and control. In recent decades, considerable and ongoing improvements have been made in these areas.

We have planned a Special Issue of the journal Fluids dedicated to recent developments in experimental and modeling methodologies in vehicle aerodynamics and aeroacoustics. Potential broad topics for submission include the following:

• Road, train, air and race vehicle aerodynamics;
• Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling and simulation of vehicle internal and external flows;
• Wind-tunnel testing of vehicles;
• Road and track testing of ground vehicles;
• Fundamentals of vehicle aerodynamics;
• Drag reduction and flow control methodologies for vehicles;
• Wind-tunnel aeroacoustic measurements and testing techniques;
• Modeling and simulation of ground vehicle aeroacoustics;
• Wind noise reduction methodologies;
• Road vehicle platooning and driving in proximity in racing;
• Crosswind stability of ground vehicles;
• Replication of on-road conditions in wind-tunnel experiments;
• CFD–wind-tunnel correlation of aerodynamic and aeroacoustic measurements.

Prof. Dr. Mesbah Uddin
Guest Editor

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• aerodynamics and aeroacoustics of passenger and commercial road vehicles
• aerodynamics of trains and race vehicles
• transient aerodynamic and aeroacoustic simulations of vehicle flows
• experimental techniques applied to road and air vehicle aerodynamics
• flow controls applied to road and air vehicles and trains
• aerodynamic shape optimization of vehicles
• road vehicle overtaking maneuvers and platooning
• effect of rapid changes in upstream flow conditions on vehicle aerodynamic characteristics
• interactions of vehicle flow with surrounding infrastructure